Apple has turned iPhone/iPod Touch users crazy with literally thousands of apps available to download. Whether it’s free or a hundred bucks, people are going nuts over apps.  Ever since I got my new iPod Touch for my birthday, I have been going “app crazy” too.  I can’t help it.  I have apps for games, social media, emails, coupons, recipes and even apps for everything in New York City.   The list can go on and on.  The best apps are the ones that are free because if you don’t like the app, you can simply delete them without any worries that you spent your hard-earned cash for a useless app.

I remember before getting my iPod Touch, I was kind of jealous of all those cool apps that everyone was getting and playing with.  I absolutely loved the Apple commercial where you see someone playing the roller coaster game.  I kept telling my husband, I’ve got to have that! Like the commercial you see on TV; “there’s an app for that”, I truly believe there is an app for almost anything. I’m excited to share my top 5 apps that I think will be useful, easy to navigate and that are 100% free for all the New York City tourists and locals as well.

1. NYC Way – My most favorite app for New York City.  It’s perfect for tourists and residents because it’s based on where you are. You get more than thirty apps in one and it includes places to eat, nearby movie theaters, local news, nearest WiFi spot, tourism, recreations and lots more.
2. Time Out New York (TONY) – Another great app.  This has a “locate me”, sort of like a GPS so it can find what you’re looking for based on where you are.  You can easily search through neighborhoods such as Astoria, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Chinatown or Coney Island.  Any neighborhood in the five boroughs is in one app!  You can also follow them on Twitter.
3. BeeLoop: New York City at a Glance – This app is great for those of you who want to find New York City, at a glance.  It’s simple and to the point. You can search for NYC’s history and culture, night life, lodging, things to see and of course, eat.  It includes over a hundred places and lets you view the address, phone number and information on the venue as well.
4. UpNext – It’s a virtual city right in the palm of your hands.  You can view neighborhoods such as the Meatpacking District, Chelsea, Soho, Tribeca, Upper West & East side and lots more.  You can also zoom in to view each building and find out what’s inside when you double tap your screen.  It even allows you to add a business if there is a new store that just opened up.
5. Scene Seeker – New York City – Have you ever visited a place and wonder where a scene was filmed?  I am a movie guru especially when it comes to movies that were filmed in the streets of New York City – I guess that stems from being a New Yorker for over thirty years.  This app contains complete address information, interactive map, pictures and information about the film locations of movies and TV shows.  If you ever wanted to know a certain scene that was filmed on Sex in the City, this app will take you right to the exact same spot!

Check out my friend Corine, another NYMetropolista writer, who has other fabulous apps you don’t want to miss. I guess you can call us both “apps crazy”!

Photo credit: Apple.com

Looking for a Broadway show without all the hustle and bustle of the busy New York City streets? Well, I have found the perfect spot! It’s called the Westchester Broadway Theatre and it just minutes away from the Big Apple in a tranquil Westchester neighborhood. You get the same effect of attending a Broadway show in New York City and much, much more but in a serene Westchester neighborhood.  You’ll see professional actors and actresses from the most popular Broadway shows AND there’s no need to decide whether or not to eat dinner before or after the show because a three-course meal is also included in their low price of approximately $78.00.

If you think about it, since Broadway show prices are in the $100 per ticket range, it’s like getting a free meal provided with your show at the Westchester Broadway Theatre.  This is an undeniably excellent deal considering our current economic times.  You really can’t find anything like this at any New York City theatre.  It’s a win-win for all!

This year is extra special because it marks the 35th anniversary of the Westchester Broadway Theatre. They’ve been in business since 1974 and are the only theatre in New York State to have the longest running 52 week a year professional theatre.

I’ve been to the Westchester Broadway Theatre twice.  The first time my husband and I went to see a show at the WBT (Westchester Broadway Theatre) was to celebrate our five year anniversary.  We saw The King and I.  It was spectacular.  Their costumes were amazing, the acting was on point, the stage was magical and the food was great. They really know how to take you to another place. The second time I took my daughter to see Beauty and the Beast.  We are huge Disney fans so we could not take our eyes off the stage.  The characters were brought to life and felt so realistic.  The stage even turned into a part of the castle.  It was truly magnificent.

Now showing for the month of December is The Christmas Voyager. A show that is perfect for the upcoming holiday season to get you in the holiday spirit.

The Christmas Voyager is a true celebration of the Season. All the splendor of Christmas is brought to life in a magical journey through Yuletides past. The holiday songs we all know and love are wrapped up in a heartwarming celebration of spirit that will delight audiences of all ages. Lost in a future time and desperate to return to his home galaxy, our Starman journeys back through time searching for that magical December 24th evening when three brilliant stars came together and changed the course of history. Knowing that these same stars will set him on the right course toward home, Noel journeys around the world and touches down in a small town in America, The North Pole, Dickens’ England and many other places on his quest.

Their 2010 schedule looks phenomenal because you’ll be able to see Peter Pan, Rent, Jekyll & Hyde and lots more shows.  If you love Broadway shows like me, you’ll definitely love the shows the Westchester Theatre has to offer.  It’s totally worth the drive if you live in the NYC metro area.  There’s no other place like it.  Where can you get a good meal and a fantastic show for the price of one, all in one location?

*There are also a few other limited-time and/or one-night holiday shows that are great for kids of all ages, such as Frosty the Snowman & Tony Kenny’s Christmas Time In Ireland.

For ticket information and show times, call the WBT at 914-592-2222. They’re open every day at 10am. Call 914-592-2225 for group reservations and for Luxury Box reservations, call 914-592-8730. For private parties of 6 to 22, additional features include an expanded dinner menu, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, and a private powder room.

Westchester Broadway Theatre
One Broadway Plaza
Elmsford, NY 10523
Broadwaytheatre.com
Photo credit: WBT

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When I think of the Hudson River, I think about tours that pass by the Statue of Liberty, helicopters flying over to see the many sights that New York City has to offer and of course, the ferries that go to Staten Island and New Jersey. What I don’t think about is walking across the Hudson River on a bridge. My kids and I felt adventurous one Saturday so we planned on doing something different and explore something we’ve never done before. We decided it was time for us to head over to the Walkway Over the Hudson.

It’s the world’s longest pedestrian bridge and it’s a 1.25 mile walk through the entire bridge one way. It runs from Poughkeepsie (Parker Ave.) to the Town of Lloyd (Haviland Rd.) in Highland, N.Y. Both parking lots on either side are free for all. The Poughkeepsie side fits approximately 80 cars and the Highland side fits about 175 cars.

The Walkway Over the Hudson, also known as The Poughkeepsie Highland Railroad Bridge was once used to carry rail trains to transport coal from Pennsylvania to New England during the Industrial Revolution but that all changed when a fire destroyed the tracks. After the fire, no one knew what to do with the bridge because it would be too expensive to tear it down, then to leave it standing. Being that the bridge is very solid and secure; a man by the name of Bill Sepe had a brilliant idea to rebuild this bridge and turn it into a place where Mid-Hudson Valley residents and people from all over the world can visit to take a stroll, go for a run or a bike ride.

Just in case you didn’t know, the bridge is now an historic New York State park. The official name of the bridge is called The Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park. It opened to the public on October 3, 2009 and it has been a huge hit, especially for us. Right before the entrance, I noticed a few parking lots that were charging $5 to park. I knew from reading the newspaper that parking was indeed free so I ignored the signs. As I approached the official entrance to the park, I also noticed there weren’t many spaces left to park. So I went ahead and waited until someone came out seven minutes later. After we parked the car, we started to walk toward the gated entrance.

Once you reach the entrance, you will see a few restrooms (ok, porta potty), vendors selling t-shirts, books and all sorts of memorabilia to enjoy. And if you’re hungry, there’s usually someone selling food and drinks. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes because you will walk far in order to appreciate and enjoy the wonderful fall colors the Hudson Valley has to offer.

While on the bridge, everyone seemed to be in a good mood. It was such a nice and relaxing walk and most people had smiles on their faces. We were in no rush to reach the area above the river so we walked slowly. We saw lots of people walking their dogs, children & adults riding their bikes and we even saw kids on skateboards. I can tell everyone was enjoying the fresh air as well as the scenery. It was a very nice crowd on a very beautiful day.

If you’re in the NYC area, I highly recommend the drive over to Poughkeepsie or Highland. It’s worth the trip and the fresh, crisp air. And don’t forget to bring your camera!

Train directions:

Metro-North – Hudson Line, The Walkway Over the Hudson is located just 4 blocks north of the Metro North and Amtrak station in Poughkeepsie.

Driving directions:

From the South/East:  Take the Taconic State Parkway north to the Route 55/Poughkeepsie exit.  Take Route 55 east towards Poughkeepsie.  Stay on Route 55/44 through the City of Poughkeepsie, and take a right onto Columbus Drive (just past Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel and City Hall).  Columbus Drive becomes Washington Street.  Continue on Washington Street to right on Parker Avenue.  Park entrance is on the left.

From the South/West:  Take Route 9W North.  Just past the exit for the Mid-Hudson Bridge, take a right onto Haviland Road.  Park entrance is on the left.

From the North:  Take the New York State Thruway (I-87) south to Exit 18, Poughkeepsie/New Paltz.  Take right onto Route 299.  Follow Route 299 east to Route 9W south.  Make a left onto Haviland Road.  Park entrance is on the left.

*Directions were provided by Walkway.org.

Image credit: WalkwayoverTheHudson.org